Chris Cain

Raised on a steady diet of the blues from a young age, Cain began playing guitar at eight, teaching himself the basics and playing professionally by 18. Studies at San Jose City College gave him a foundation in theory and jazz, and after more than a decade of working in the trenches and paying dues, he made a resounding impact with the release of his 1987 debut Late Night City Blues, receiving four W.C. Handy Blues Music Award nominations including one for Guitarist of the Year.

Since then, Cain has been on a mission to bring his soul-drenched approach to audiences around the world, with his earthy, “lived in” vocals and virtuosic soloing style setting him apart from his heroes and contemporaries.

After a dozen releases, primarily for the Blind Pig and Blue Rock-It labels, Cain made his debut for the legendary Alligator Records imprint with 2021’s Raisin’ Cain, an incendiary album of all original compositions that is bursting with the searing, uninhibited spirit of the blues.